Holly Willoughby breaks silence and issues statement after man found guilty of planning to kill her

Holly Willoughby has issued a statement after a man was found guilty of planning to murder her.

Gavin Plumb was found guilty on one count of soliciting murder, one count of plotting to kidnap and one count of plotting to rape at Chelmsford Crown Court today. Holly has thanked the US undercover police officer for helping foil Plumb's sinister plot as well as the Crown Prosecution Service and everyone involved in convicting her potential kidnapper.

She said: “As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes. I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.

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“Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.

“I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.”

Plumb, 37, burst into tears after the verdict was delivered at Chelmsford Crown Court today. According to the PA news agency, Plumb slowly shook his head and stared at the floor of the dock. as the verdict was returned.

He then began to weep as he was sent down to the cells. Following the guilty verdicts in Gavin Plumb’s case, Nicola Rice, a specialist prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Gavin Plumb is a dangerous man who plotted unspeakable violence against one of the nation’s most familiar faces.

“Despite his attempts to pass himself off as a harmless fantasist, the prosecution persuaded the jury that Plumb posed a very real threat. The chilling details of his plans were laid bear with the help of an undercover officer from the US who alerted the FBI to the threat, and the seriousness of Plumb’s scheme was exposed when the prosecution successfully applied to tell the jury about Plumb’s previous convictions.

“I hope his conviction brings some comfort to Holly Willoughby and her family, and shows others that the Crown Prosecution Service will always seek the strongest possible charges against those who plot violence against women.”

The prosecution will be applying for a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order at Gavin Plumb’s sentencing, prosecutor Ros Earis said.

The sentencing will take place on July 12.

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